Method of making finger rings



F. J. GAERTNER 3 METHOD OF MAKING FINGER RINGS Original Filed Oct. 1, 1936 INVENTOR.

Patented Dec. 28, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Original application ctober 1, 1936, Serial No.

103,477. Divided and this application April 1, 1937, Serial No. 13

4 Claims.

This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 103,477 filed October 1, 1936. The invention relates in general to finger rings and more particularly to a novel and'improved setting and a novel and improved combination thereof with a ring shank.

' One object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved method of making a finger ring which shall comprise a split ring shank having a setting secured between the ends thereof, whereby shanks of different ornamentive character can be easily and quickly combined with settings of different ornamental character to facilitate and make possible to manufacture at small cost, a large number of rings of different designs.

Further objects are to provide a novel and improved method of making a ring setting comprising parts formed of metals of different color, for example yellow gold and white gold, and wherein the two colors shall merge into and complement each other in forming an ornamental design; and to provide such a method whereby a setting of the character described having pierced or open work ornamentation may be produced.

Other objects are to provide a novel and improved method of making a hollow, pierced ring setting or crown, and to obtain other advantages and results as will be brought out by the following description.

Referring to the accompanying drawing in which corresponding and like parts are designated throughout the several views by the same reference characters:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a finger ring embodying my invention with portions broken away and shown in section.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the ring.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the ring.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the setting or crown detached from the shank. V

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the setting or crown.

Figure 6 is a plan view of a blank from which the setting is formed.

Figure 7 is a sectional view on the line 'l-l: of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a plan view of the blank after having been pierced and partially shaped, and

Figure 9 is a sectional view on the line 9-9 of Figure 8.

Specifically describing the invention, the ring includes a split ring shank I, the ends of which are in spaced relation and preferably formed on the outer surface thereof with suitable ornaments 2. As shown, the ornaments are formed by pressing the ends of the shank in a suitable. die so that the ornaments are integral with the shank.

Inwardly of each end of the shank is a transverse notch or recess 3 to cooperate with a setting or crown 4.

The setting or crown is preferably hollow and ornamented by piercing, as indicated at 5, and the top 6 of the setting is shown as fiat'and plate-like, while the front and rear sides 7 of the setting depend upon opposite edges of the top and are connected together at each'endv of the setting to form in effect a transverse strap 8 at each end of the setting disposed below the plane of the top and projecting beyond the corresponding edge of the top 6. The setting is thus open from end to end or has a recessed seat at each end disposed below the plane of and outwardly beyond the top, and the bottom of the setting is open.

In assembling the setting and shank, one end of the shank is set into each space or recessed seat between the sides of the setting and with the notch or recess 3 of the shank receiving the corresponding strap 8, the shank ends being soldered to said straps. With this arrangement, the ornaments 2 at the ends of the shank are visible from the top of the setting at opposite ends and below the top 6 so as to complement the ornamentation of the setting. Also, the bottom edges of the ornaments 2 preferably rest upon and bear against the sides I of the setting adjacent the straps 8 so as to reenforce the connection of the shank ends to the setting. Therefore, the straps 8 and the adjacent side walls of the setting form in effect seats for the corresponding ends of the shank.

With this construction, any one of a plurality of split shanks bearingdifferent ornamentation may be combined with any one of a plurality of settings bearing different ornamentation, whereby a large number of rings of different designs can be easily, quickly and economically manufactured.

Another feature of the invention is the form of the setting and the method of making it.

Preferably the top plate 6 of the setting is formed of a metal of a different color from that of the side of the setting; for example, the top plate may be of white gold and the side walls of yellow gold. Also,the setting is in effect a onepiece setting.

In making the setting, I first take a blank of suitable metal with an approximately flat main portion to form the sides of the setting, and shape it according to the desired contour of the sides of the setting as indicated at 9. The blank is perforated at it to form the opening for the bottom of the setting. A piece I l of suitable material and of a size corresponding to one half the size of the top 6, is secured to each of two opposite edges ofthe blank in any suitable manner as by soldering or welding, with the piece projecting approximately perpendicular to the general plane of the blank 9. The blank thus formed is then placed in suitable dies and shaped and pierced according to the desired contour and pierced ornamentation, as shown in Figures 8 and 9. The metal of the blank 9 is stretched to enlarge the opening I 0 to a size corresponding to the desired opening in the bottom of the setting as at I2, and the blank is notched as at 13 adjacent the ends of the opening E2 to form the straps 8.

4 Then the blank is bent transversely between the edge portions H across the opening l2 along the longitudinal axis thereof to bring the edges of the pieces H into abutting relation as shown in Figure 5, whereupon these edges are secured together as by soldering at l3, to form the top 6. The portions between the pieces H and the edges of the opening Ill are spaced apart and form the sides of the setting the edges of which along the opening form the bottom of the setting.

If desired the edges of the pieces 1 may be formed with notches M to complement each other in forming an opening 15 for a gem in the completed setting.

'This method provides a simple and inexpensive manner of producing in effect a one-piece hollow pierced setting consisting of a minimum of material and highly aesthetic in appearance.

It should be understood that the shape and ornamentation of the setting may be widely varied, and that other changes in the structure and manufacture of the setting may be made within the spirit and scope of the invention Having thus described my invention, what I claim is: r V V 1. The method of making a setting consisting in making a sheet metal blank, forming an opening in said blank within the edges of the blank,

securing a piece of metal to each of opposite edges of said blank in angular relation to the general plane of the blank, bending said blank across said opening to bring the edges of said pieces into abutting relation to each other and opposite said opening and with the portions of the blank between said pieces and said opening in spaced relation to each other, and securing together said abutting edges of said pieces, whereby said pieces complementally form a top for the setting and the other portions of the blank form side walls the edges of which along said opening form the bottom of the setting.

2. The method of making a setting consisting in making a sheet metal blank, forming an opening in said blank within the edges of the blank;

securing a piece of metal to each of opposite edges of said blank in angular relation to the general plane of the blank, stretching said blank to enlarge said opening, bending said blank across a said opening to bring the edges of said pieces into abutting relation to each other and opposite said opening and with the portions of the blank between said pieces and said opening in spaced relation to each other, and securing together said abutting edges of said pieces, whereby said pieces complementally form a top for the setting and the other portions of the blank form side walls the edges of which along said opening form the bottom of the setting. a

3. The method set forth in claim 1 with the additional step of forming an opening in said top to receive a gem.

4. The method of making a setting consisting in making a sheet metal blank with an opening spaced equidistantly from opposite edges of the blank, securing a piece of metal of different color from said blank to each of said edges with said pieces in angular relation to the plane of the blank, bending said blank across said opening to bring the edges of, said pieces into abutting relation, and securing together said edges of said pieces, whereby said pieces complementally form a top for the setting and the other portions of the blank form side walls the edges of which along said opening form the bottom of the setting;

i FREDERICK J. GAERTNER. 

